News

Pope to visit Africa Nov. 25-30; including Central African Republic

Despite continued instability and outbreaks of violence in the Central African Republic, the Vatican announced Pope Francis will spend about 33 hours in the country during a Nov. 25-30 visit to Africa.

Cardinal says in homily Pope Francis will visit Mexico in February

Cardinal Rivera revealed the date Pope Francis would arrive in Mexico Feb. 12 during a homily Nov. 1, but he offered no other information on itineraries or the length of the stay.

How to report child abuse in Pa.

Toll-free phone numbers for the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania and the Archdiocese of Philadelphia allow anyone to make a report of suspected abuse or misconduct.

‘Spotlight’ on sexual abuse shows how far church has come

A new movie on the revelations in 2002 of the sexual abuse crisis in the church not only shines a light on the past decade but how the church's training efforts, led in the Philadelphia Archdiocese by a longtime victim's advocate, are helping to protect children.

Hispanic Family Day encourages vocations

Hispanic men of high school and college age and their families are invited to spend a day of fun, food and prayer at St. Charles Borromeo Seminary on Sunday, Nov. 8.

Knowing how to cry opens one to tenderness, pope says at cemetery Mass

While the Beatitudes can seem counterintuitive, Jesus knew that the poor in spirit, those who mourn or are persecuted and those who work for peace and justice are those who are open to experiencing God's love and mercy, Pope Francis said.

Reporter claims pope approves Communion for all remarried who ask

Updated - The Vatican spokesman described as obviously "unreliable" an Italian journalist's claim that Pope Francis told him that following the Synod of Bishops on the family, "all the divorced who ask" will be admitted to Communion.

Vatican official, consultant arrested for financial documents leak

They were questioned over the weekend of Oct. 31-Nov. 1 by Vatican police who have been investigating "the removal and dissemination of news and confidential documents," the press office said.

In cross-country, O’Hara girls, La Salle boys define dominance

Historically both schools have taken far more Catholic League championships than any other. Their respective boys and girls teams repeated that accomplishment Oct. 26 by winning titles at Belmont Plateau.

Religious freedom said to merit ‘seat at the table’ with other concerns

In many nations around the world, "religious freedom flourishes," but in too many other countries, "people face daunting, alarming and growing challenges because of their faith," a State Department official said at a Capitol Hill hearing Oct. 27.